Transient sound producing device



1967 J. MARKOWITZ ETAL 3,334,172

TRANSIENT SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 51, 1964 Qwk kmisu Aug. 1, 1967 Filed Aug. 31, 1964 J. MARKOWITZ ETAL 3,334,172

TRANSIENT SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE 2 SheetsSheet 2 IIVVEIVTORS. JEROME MAR/(OW/TZ RICA/P00 HOCf/LE/T/VE/P, JR.

ATZ'OR/VEVS,

United States Patent 3,334,172 TRANSIENT SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE Jerome Markowitz and Ricardo Hochleitner, Jr.,

Macuugie, Pa., assignors to Allen Organ Co., Inc., Macungie, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 393,088 17 Claims. (Cl. 841.06)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tone producing apparatus having a key, a tone producing mechanical reed, and a reciprocably mounted pivotable pawl for plucking the reed. A tone generator and transducer are connected to a source of power through the mechanism which responds to actuation of the key to close the electrical circuit.

This invention relates to a transient sound producing device. More particularly, this invention relates to a transient sound producing device for use in combination with electrical or nonelectrical keyboard musical instruments.

It is well known that many if not most musical instruments have a transient sound or condition which exists at the onset of the speech. A harpsichord or guitar are excellent examples of instruments which exhibit this phenomenon. This phenomenon presents itself to most listeners as the metallic twang which occurs only at the instant the strings are plucked. Heretofore, such an effect has been difficult to produce in electrical musical instruments. Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide a means whereby the transient sound effect can be incorporated into electrical keyboard musical instruments.

In the harpsichord, because the string is plucked by a quill, the feel of instrument assumes its own individual characteristics. As a given key is depressed, resistance is felt while the string is being stretched and then when the string is released the resistance which the key encounters is substantially decreased and the key returns to its original position by its own weight. This feel is known by some as a tracker touch. Others may refer to this as the toggle touch. The combination of sound which occurs at the onset of the tone and the feel ofthe key is a closely associated psycho-acoustic phenomenon and represents, for many, a very desirable addition to electrical musical instruments.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a simple keyboard instrument which can produce acoustic tones by means of plunked reeds.

It is a further object of this invention to produce a simple device which can be attached to a standard piano ,or organ key for the purpose of producing an acoustic transient sound.

It is another object of this invention to provide a simple device which can be attached to a standard piano or organ key for the purpose of producing a toggle touch or feel to the individual keys. It is still another object of this invention to provide a simple device which can be attached to a standard piano or organ key for the purpose of producing the combined effect of an acoustic transient sound and a tOggle touch or feel for the individual keys.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an acoustic transient producing device which can be used in combination with a keyboard type electrical musical instrument. I

It is still another object of this invention which will add a toggle touch to the feel of (the keys in an electrical music-a1 instrument.

Yet another object of the present invention is to pro- "ice time an acoustic transient device with a means for varying the amount of transient sound intensity.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an acoustic transient sound producer which can also simultaneously be used as an electrical contactor for a keyboard type electrical musical instrument.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro-, vide an acoustic transient sound generator which produces a stereophonic quality when used in combination with an electrical musical instrument.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing the transient sound producing device in combination with a key for musical instruments.

FIGURE 2 is a partial elevational view similar to FIG- URE 1 showing a modified means for connecting the device to a source of power.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a partial top view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3 taken along the line 44.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, taken along the line 5--5.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a portion of a keyboard 10 built in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Although only one key from the keyboard is shown in FIGURE 1, it is representative of every other key forming the keyboard and is exactly similar thereto except where otherwise noted below.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the transient sound producing device comprises a key 12 pivotally mounted upon a pivot support 14 which in turn is mounted on a mounting board 16. The key 12 may be of the standard type used in keyboard musical instruments. The end of mounting board 16 is provided with an upright portion 18 upon which is mounted a felt pad 20 to provide a sound deadened limit stop for the pivoting action of the key 12. The key 12 may be made of wood, plastic or metal.

The mechanism 22 for producing the transient effect includes a sound-board 24 having a mounting extension 26 integral therewith. If desired, the mounting extension 26 may be separate from the sound-board 24. The soundboard 24 is provided with a resonant cavity 28 which is designed to resonate at a particular predetermined frequency or frequencies. The cavity 28 has a resonant effect at the frequencies of the acoustic transients produced by the reeds, which effect tends to cause the sound of the reeds to appear louder than they would if there were no resonant effect. The frequency of resonance will depend upon the material used, the shape and dimensions of the cavity and other physical characteristics of the sound-board 24. The principles of sound-boards and resonance are well-known to those versed in the art. Hence, the precise construction of the sound-board 24 need not be described in detail.

The reed 30 is mounted upon the sound-board 24 by sandwiching it between a pair of plates 32 and 34 and securing the reed 30 and plates 32 and 34 to the soundboard 24 by means of screw fasteners 36 and 38. The reed 30 is adapted to vibrate at a particular frequency corresponding to the transient frequency normally associated with the note which the depressing of the key 12 is to actuate. Thus, if the depressing of the key 12 is to actuate middle C in a harpsichord, reed 30 will vibrate at the frequency of the transient normally associated with the harpsichord middle C. The sound-board 24 absorbs some of the vibratory energy from the reed 30 and transmits it to the cavity 28.

To acuate the vibratory motion of reed 30, a toggle mechanism including pin 40 and pawl 42 has been provided. The pin '40 is slidably mounted in a hole 44 in extension 26. The pin 40 is bifurcated at one end thereof and the pawl 42 is pivotally mounted in the slot created thereby. Thus, the pawl 42 extends transversely of the pin 40 and is rotatably mounted adjacent one end thereof.

A pair of guide staples such as staples 46 extend across the top of hole 44 on either side of pin 40. The staples 46 serve the dual purpose of holding the spring 48 within hole 44 and guiding pin 40 so as to prevent rotation thereof. The other end of pin 40 is provided with an enlarged head 50 which serves to retain spring 48 and also to provide a contact surface between the pin 40 and key 12. The spring 48 is compressed so that it tends to force head 50 towards the raised portion 52 on key 12. A felt pad 54 is provided on raised portion 52 to deaden any mechanical sounds caused by contact between it and pin 40. Similarly, a felt pad 56 has been provided between toggle 42 and the top portion of extension 46 to assure quietness of the action.

An adjustable stop 58 has been provided as a means to adjust the intensity of the sound produced when pawl 42 plucks reed 30. The stop 58 comprises a J-shaped spring 60 which is adjustably retained in position on extension 26 by screw 62. The upper extension of spring 60 overlaps the end 47 of pawl 42. A felt pad 62 is provided on the end of spring 60 to assure quietness of action.

The reed mechanism operates as follows:

When the finger end of key 12 is depressed it pivots about support 14 thus moving its opposite end upwardly. Accordingly, since the head 50 of pin 40 rests against key 12 it will be forced to slide upwardly in hole 44. The upward movement of pin 40 also forces pawl 42 upwardly. As pawl 42 moves upwardlyit is caused to pivot about rivet 43 by the impedance of stop 58 resting against the rearward extending end 47. As-pawl 42 continues its upward motion it comes into contact with reed 30 and bends the same upwardly. When the pin 40 reaches a predetermined height the stop 58 will have caused the pawl to rotate to a position where reed 30 will snap off the end 45 of pawl 42 and begin to vibrate. It should be noted that end 45 has been angled inwardly towards pin 40 so that reed 30 is quickly released by pawl 42. After pawl 42 has released reed 30, it continues to rotate in a clockwise direction. Thus it i clear of the vibrating reed 30. When key 12 is released spring 48 forces the pin downwardly, returning pawl 42 to its original position. Because pawl 42 has previously rotated to a position clear of reed 30 it will not interfere with the vibration of reed 30 when it moves downwardly.

Adjustment screw 62 adjusts the height of felt pad 64 above extension 26. Accordingly, it also adjusts the angular position of pawl 42 relative to pin 40. By so adjusting the angular position the amount by which pawl end 45 underlies reed 30 is also adjusted. The farther end 45 extends beneath reed 30 the more it must rotate before it releases reed 30 and hence, the more intense the sound produced by reed 30. This is in accordance with the general physical principle that the greater the amplitude of vibration of a vibrating reed, the more intense the sound produced thereby.

As thus far described the device may be used as a musical producing instrument in and of itself. That is, a plurality of reed mechanisms could be provided, with each one adjusted to vibrate at a particular frequency equal to a musical tone.

If desired, the device may also be connected into an electronic musical instrument. This may be done in any one of several ways. For example, as shown in FIGURE 1 the pin 40, pawl 42, reed 30 and plates 32 and 34 are adapted to be electrically conductive. The pin 40 is connected to a source of power and a tone generator and audio converter 7.0 are connected to the plates 32 and 34. Tone generator 60 may be of a type which is well-known in the art. For example, it may comprise an electronic oscillator together with wave shaping devices designed to produce a tone which is representative of the particular musical instrument being electronically duplicated. The audio converter 70 may be any one of a number of suitable types designed to transduce electronic signals into sound.

As explained above, when key 12 is depressed it forces pin 40 and pawl 42 upwardly into contact with reed 30. This closes the electric circuit between the tone generator 60 and its source of supply which is connected to pin 40. In this way the mechanism 22 serves the dual function of being both a producer of sound and a switch.

When used in this manner two forms of transient sound are produced. One is that of a vibrating reed 30 and the second is that of the tone generator 68 and audio converter 70. These sounds are considered to be transient because they can last no longer than the time in which pawl 42 is in contact with reed 30 or the time it takes for the vibration from reed 30 to damp out.

The embodiment shown in FIGURE 2 is similar to that shown in FIGURE 1 except that it is designed to produce both a transient and sustained tone. To show the similarity between the embodiments of FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2 like elements in FIGURE 2 have been given primed numbers. As shown, the mechanical transientsound producing mechanism 22 is the same as that shown in FIGURE 1. However, in FIGURE 2 a separate contact device 72 has been mounted on the end of key 12' by means of screw fastener 74. Accordingly, when key 12' is depressed contact 72 moves upwardly into contact with fixed contactor 76, thereby closing the circuit between tone generator 68' and the source of power. The arrangement of elements shown in FIGURE 2, permits a sustained note to be played. An adjustable screw 78 controls the point at which the circuit will be closed by contact 72 and contactor 76.

The construction shown in FIGURE 2 provides a device wherein the tone generator may be used to duplicate the sustained musical note while the transient producing mechanism 22 provides the initial transient or metallic twang of the instrument. Moreover, the mechanism 22 also provides the player with the correct feel which is inherent in musical instruments, such as the harpsichord which is plucked by a quill.

As indicated above the reeds 30 or 30' will normally be tuned to the same pitch as the note with which they are associated. On the other hand, it is also practical to tune them to a much higher order of frequency or even to a dissonant frequency. The selection which frequency is chosen depends on the effect which is desired to produce. The particular nature of the transient will depend upon taste of the builder.

It has been found that the reed 30 may be of any convenient form. For instance, the reed 30 may comprise a flat piece of metal or it may be a piece of round wire or any other convenient shape. The type of reed used depends upon the type of sound desired.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 4, and 5, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the transient sound producing device which is specifically adapted to combine the features of a sound producer and electric contactor.

As shown in FIGURES 3, 4, and 5, the transient ound producing device comprises a key 112 mounted upon a pivot support 114 which in turn is supported on mount- .ing board 116. The key 112 and sound mechanism associated therewith may comprise one part of an entire keyboard of a musical instrument.

The end of mounting board 116 is provided with an upright portion 118 upon which is mounted a felt pad 120 to provide a sound deadened limit stop for the pivoting action of the key 112. The key 112 may be of the standard type used in keyboard musical instruments.

The mechanism 110 for producing the transient effect includes a sound-board 124 having a mounting extension 126 integral therewith. If desired, the mounting extension 126 may be separate from the sound-board 124. The sound-board 124 is provided with a resonant cavity 128 which is designed to resonate at a particular predetermined frequency or frequencies. The cavity 128 also has a resonant effect at the frequencies of the acoustic transient produced by the reeds, which effect tends to appear to amplify the sound of the reeds. The frequency of resonance will depend upon the material used, the shape and dimensions of the cavity, and other physical characteristics of the sound-board 124.

The reed 130 is mounted upon the sound-board'124 by sandwiching it between pairs of washer plates'132 and 134 and securing the reed 130 and washer plates 132 and 134 to the sound-board 124 by means of screw fasteners 136 and 138. The reed 130 is adapted to vibrate at a particular frequency corresponding either to the note frequency or to the transient frequency normally associated with the note which the depressing of the key is to actuate. Thus, if the depressing of the 'key 112 is to actuate middle C in a harpsichord, the reed 130 may vibrate at the frequency of the transient normally associated with the harpsichord middle C. The sound-board 124 absorbs some of the vibratory energy from the reed 130 and transmits it to the cavity 128 which resonates that particular frequency.

To actuate the vibratory motion of the reed 130, a toggle mechanism including pin 140 and pawl 142 has been provided. The pin 140 is slidably mounted in a hole 144 in extension 126. The pin 140 is provided with a specially constructed enlarged head 146 which has its bottom surface resting against a felt pad 148 surrounding holes 144. The enlarged head 146 is provided with a diametrically extending slot 150 in which rests pin 152.

The pawl 142 rests in slot 156 at right angles to the slot 150. The pin 152 extends through a hole in pawl 142 and thereby pivotally retains the pawl 142 in said slot 156. The pin 152 is retained in slot 150 by means of a pair of electrically conductive spring members 160 and 162 which rest above the pin 152 in grooves 164 and 166. The springlike action of spring members 160 and 162 biases the pin 152 downward into slot 150 in order to retain the same therein. Spring members 160 and 162, together with spring stop 170, are held in place on extension 126 by means of insulating plate 172 and screw fastener 174. The adjustable spring stop 170 provides a means to adjust the intensity of the sound produced when pawl 42 plucks the reed 130. The stop 170 comprises a J-shaped spring 170 which is adjustably retained in position by screw 174. The upper extension of spring 170 overlaps the end 176 of pawl 142. A felt pad 180 is provided on the end of spring 170 to assure quietness of action.

The mechanical operation of the mechanism is substantially the same as that described with regard to FIGURE 1. That is, when the finger end of key 112 is depressed it pivots about support 114 thus moving its opposite end upwardly. Accordingly, the pin 140 is forced to slide upwardly in hole 144 against the bias of spring members 160 and 162. The upward movement of pin 140 also forces pawl 142 upwardly. As pawl 142 moves upwardly it is caused to pivot about pin 152 by the impedance of stop 170 resting against the rearward extending end 176. As pawl 142 continues its upward movement it comes into contact with reed 130 and bends the same upwardly. When the head 146 reaches a predetermined height, the stop 170 will have caused the pawl 142 to rotate to a position where the reed 130 will snap off the end of said pawl 142 and begin to vibrate. After the pawl 142 has released reed 130, it continues to rotate in a clockwise direction until it is completely clear of vibrating reed 130. When the key 112 is released the spring members 160 and 162 force the pin downwardly, thereby returning pawl 142 to its original position.

As indicated above, the mechanism shown in FIG- URES 3, 4 and 5 has the additional function of being an electrical contactor. This function is accomplished in the following manner:

The spring members 160 and 162 together with the J-spring member 170 are adapted to be electrically conductive. Spring members 160 and 162 are joined at their ends 180. Downwardly depending tabs 182 and 184 are provided on spring 170 in spaced relation above spring members 160 and 162. The plate 172 is made from an electrically non-conductive material such as fiber and therefore insulates the spring 170 from spring members 160 and 162. When key 112 is depressed, the upward motion of pin also moves spring members and 162 upward until they contact spring 170. Therefore, if the leads 186 and 188 be connected to a power source and a tone generator respectively, an electrical circuit is completed and the tone generator caused to oscillate. The tone generator will continue to operate so long as key 112 is depressed and without regard to the vibration of reed 130.

It is to be noted that a stereo effect can be created using the herein described devices. Thus, each of the devices produces both a mechanically initiated tone and an electronically .initiated tone. The generators of these specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

We claim: tones may be spaced at separate locations and a stereo quality thereby imparted to the sound. The precise spacing use to accomplish the stereo is known to those skilled in the art.

The present invention may be embodied in other SP6. cific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing We claim:

. 1. Apparatus comprising a key, an electrical tone generator for producing audio frequency electric signals, an audio transducer connected to said tone generator to convert said tone generator audio frequency electric signals into an audio output signal, vibrating means for producing an initial transient sound, said key being operative to actuate said tone generator and said vibratory means for producing an initial transient sound, said vibratory means including a vibratory reed and mechanical means associated with said key for causing said reed to vibrate,

2. Apparatus for producing an initial transient in an electrical musical instrument comprising key means adapted to actuate electronic audio frequency tone generating means and audio frequency transducing means connected thereto, reed means, acoustic resonant means associated with said reed means and adapted to vibrate at the resonant frequency of said reed means, and mechanical means actuatable by said key means for vibrating said reed means.

3. .A musical instrument comprising a keyboard having a plurality of keys thereon, at least one electrical tone generator associated with each key for producing audio frequency electrical signals, audio conversion means connected to said tone generator to convert said tone generator audio frequency electrical signals into an audio output signal, means for producing an initial transient tone associated with each of said keys, each of said keys being adapted to actuate said tone generator and said initial transient producing means, said means including a vibratory reed and mechanical means for causing said reed to vibrate.

4. A musical instrument in accordance with claim 3 wherein said reed is acoustically associated with a resonant means adapted to resonate at the frequency of vibration of said reed.

5. A musical instrument in accordance with claim 3 wherein said mechanical means comprises support means therefor, pin means mounted on said support means, one end of said pin means being adapted to make physical contact with said key means, said pin being adapted to move axially, a pawl pivotally mounted adjacent the other end of said pin means, adjustable stop means juxtaposed one end of said pawl, and the other end of said pawl adapted to engage and release said vibratory reed means.

6. Apparatus comprising a key, an electrical tone generator for producing audio frequency electrical signals, an audio transducer connected to said tone generator to convert said tone generator audio frequency electrical signal into an audio frequency output signal, means for producing an initial transient sound, said key being operative to actuate said tone generator and said means for producing an initial transient sound, said means for producing initial transient sound comprising a resonant soundboard having a resonant cavity therein, a vibratory reed mounted on said sound-board, said sound-board being adapted to absorb vibratory energy from said reed, mounting means for mounting a pin for axial movement, spring means tending to bias said pin into contact with said key, whereby actuation of said key causes said pin to move axially, pawl means pivotally mounted adjacent the other end of said pin, one end of said pawl means being beneath a free end of said vibratory reed when said key is not depressed, adjustable vibration intensity control means, the other end of said pawl extending beneath said intensity control means, said one end of said pawl means being adapted to engage and release said reed when said pin is caused to move by said key.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein contactor means are mounted on said key means for electrically connecting said tone generator to a source of power.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said tone generator is connected to said reed means and said pin is electrically conductive and .is adapted to be connected to a source of power, whereby contact between said pawl means and said reed provides power for said tone generator.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said intensity control means and said spring means are electrically conductive, said intensity control means and said spring means being electrically insulated, first connector means for connecting said spring means to a source of power, second connector means for connecting said intensity control means to said tone generator, and contactor means on said intensity control means adapted to make electrical contact with said spring means when said key means is actuated.

10. Apparatus comprising a key, an electrical tone generator for producing audio frequency electric signals, an audio transducer connected to convert said tone generator audio frequency signals into an audio output signal, vibratory means for producing an audio tone, said key being operative to actuate said tone generator and said vibratory means, said vibratory means including a vibratory reed and mechanical means associated with said key for causing said reed to vibrate.

11. A musical instrument comprising a key, a vibratory reed, and mechanical means actuatable by said key means for vibrating said reed, said mechanical means including a pivotable element mounted on a reciprocable element, said reciprocable element positioned to be reciprocated by said key, said pivotable element including a reed en: gaging portion and stop engaging portion, and a stop position adjacent said stop engaging portion.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 including a resonant means, said vibratory reed means being acoustically coupled with said resonant means.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said resonant means comprises a sound-board having a resonant cavity therein.

-14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said resonant means comprises a sound board having a resonant cavity therein.

15. A musical instrument comprising a key, a vibratory reed, and mechanical means actuatable by said key means for vibrating said reed, said mechanical means comprising a reciprocably mounted pin, said pin being positioned to be reciprocated by said key, a pawl pivotably mounted on said pin, said pawl including a reed plucking portion and a stop engaging portion, and a stop positioned adjacent to said stop engaging portion to impart rotation to said pawl upon reciprocation of said pin.

16. Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 including a spring for biasing said pin against the action of said key.

17. Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said stop is fixed above said stop engaging portion, and means for adjusting the distance between said stop engaging portion and said stop.

I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1957 Smith 84408 X 4/1957 Wickstrom 84-408 

6. APPARATUS COMPRISING A KEY, AN ELECTRICAL TONE GENERATOR FOR PRODUCING AUDIO FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SIGNALS, AN AUDIO TRANSDUCER CONNECTED TO SAID TONE GENERATOR TO CONVERT SAID TONE GENERATOR AUDIO FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SIGNAL INTO AN AUDIO FREQUENCY OUTPUT SIGNAL, MEANS FOR PRODUCING AN INITIAL TRANSIENT SOUND, SAID KEY BEING OPERATIVE TO ACTUATE SAID TONE GENERATOR AND SAID MEANS FOR PRODUCING AN INITIAL TRANSIENT SOUND, SAID MEANS FOR PRODUCING INITIAL TRANSIENT SOUND COMPRISING A RESONANT SOUNDBOARD HAVING A RESONANT CAVITY THEREIN, A VIBRATORY REED MOUNTED ON SAID SOUND-BOARD, SAID SOUND-BOARD BEING ADAPTED TO ABSORB VIBRATORY ENERGY FROM SAID REED, MOUNT ING MEANS FOR MOUNTING A PIN FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT, SPRING MEANS TENDING TO BIAS SAID PIN INTO CONTACT WITH SAID KEY, WHEREBY ACTUATION OF SAID KEY CAUSES SAID PIN TO MOVE AXIALLY, PAWL MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ADJACENT THE OTHER END OF SAID PIN, ONE END OF SAID PAWL MEANS BEING BENEATH A FREE END OF SAID VIBRATORY REED WHEN SAID KEY IS NOT DEPRESSED, ADJUSTABLE VIBRATION INTENSITY CONTROL MEANS, THE OTHER END OF SAID PAWL EXTENDING BENEATH SAID INTENSITY CONTROL MEANS, SAID ONE END OF SAID PAWL MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND RELEASE SAID REED WHEN SAID PIN CAUSED TO MOVE BY SAID KEY. 